Who build the best aquariums and stands

[naterealbig]

+10 for @Joe Glass Cages !! Customer service, attention to detail, design support, communication, all outstanding. My only tank supplier the last decade, and have bought 60g - 300g. Guaranteed to be delighted!

 

[GARRIGA]

Unless one has had every tank ever manufactured including updated versions then how would anyone ever know the answer? Are we talking strictly new or hoping to find a bargain used?

At best you'll get personal experiences which often go to the extremes because people love justifying their decisions or regret those made. Going to hear more about bad experiences then good, too.

Are we just seeking those that don't leak and I'm guessing we are talking glass tanks only. Drilled and reef ready or bottom glass allows drilling or that's not a concern.

Strictly custom or semi custom shops or items such as above being Aqueon who I knew as kid being All Glass? Go to most LFS and they peddle Red Sea although know one in my area carrying Waterbox. Petco sells Aqueon and other big chains sell Perfecto or whatever it's called these days. Want low iron or green tint just fine?

Main build going to be custom and for that research indicates Planet Aquariums (used to make the old and reliable Oceanic) and Reef Savvy who happens to be in my neck of the woods and I can visit although I'm starting to sway back to acrylic just because I have an inherent fear that all low iron rimless tanks eventually leak and need to be replaced. There are LFS in FW running All Glass type rimmed green tint tanks since before I was born therefore based on that I'd say those are likely the best tanks ever made. Which these days can be said just about everything.

Lots of choices. Consider being very specific as to need and hopefully that narrows it down but it seems friends don't let friends buy Red Sea

 

[Bruttall]

So this has been discussed before, but now 2025 has come and it's a new year for reefing. Who would you recommend builds the strongest, safest, and high quality aquariums and stands?

Almost every tank I have owned there's always this little thought in the back of my head that this 2000 lb beast might explode one day and flood my basement. I'm never confident in the stand and I'm surprised some of the stands that come with tanks now can even support the massive weight. With money being no issue where would you buy your dream tank?

You'd have to build a time machine, but I'd go back 20 years and buy an Oceanic Aquarium. I have a 300g now that is 30+ years old.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

You have a lot of options
You could go full-blown DIY and do your own tank stand.
Get a tank/stand combo from RedSea, Waterbox, Eshopps etc...
Joe from Glass Cage makes some incredible DIY tanks/stands (I've talked to him in person; he's a super nice guy).

 

[RBarth]

No CADE shout outs? Interesting.

 

[Waters]

No CADE shout outs? Interesting.

I was just about to post the same thing lol. I have had a lot of brands and my CADE is by far the best built.

 

[sky414]

I really like my Aquajapan.

 

[BryanM]

Unless one has had every tank ever manufactured including updated versions then how would anyone ever know the answer? Are we talking strictly new or hoping to find a bargain used?

At best you'll get personal experiences which often go to the extremes because people love justifying their decisions or regret those made. Going to hear more about bad experiences then good, too.

Are we just seeking those that don't leak and I'm guessing we are talking glass tanks only. Drilled and reef ready or bottom glass allows drilling or that's not a concern.

Strictly custom or semi custom shops or items such as above being Aqueon who I knew as kid being All Glass? Go to most LFS and they peddle Red Sea although know one in my area carrying Waterbox. Petco sells Aqueon and other big chains sell Perfecto or whatever it's called these days. Want low iron or green tint just fine?

Main build going to be custom and for that research indicates Planet Aquariums (used to make the old and reliable Oceanic) and Reef Savvy who happens to be in my neck of the woods and I can visit although I'm starting to sway back to acrylic just because I have an inherent fear that all low iron rimless tanks eventually leak and need to be replaced. There are LFS in FW running All Glass type rimmed green tint tanks since before I was born therefore based on that I'd say those are likely the best tanks ever made. Which these days can be said just about everything.

Lots of choices. Consider being very specific as to need and hopefully that narrows it down but it seems friends don't let friends buy Red Sea

People can start here, which is how I chose waterbox after learning I owned a ticking time bomb.

https://humble.fish/community/threads/i-created-a-spreadsheet-of-reported-aquarium-failures.20411/

 

[BZOFIQ]

I personally know a person heavily involved in the reef industry.

they told me straight up to buy an aquarium that is made in the US and trucked to you or your LFS.

any overseas tank builder is

1) going to use lower quality materials bc to compete with US builders they have to account for major shipping costs. if an overseas company is building freight costs into a competitive offer, by nature they will have to cut corners on material and craftsmanship.

2) freight handling from overseas is brutal on delicate aquariums. overseas aquariums are SLAMMED into cargo containers,handled very roughly. God know how much weight is on top of them or shifting and pounding from side to side as it BOUNCES wave to wave across the Pacific Ocean

they told me to ALWAYS buy from US builders that truck their aquariums to a place where you can take delivery

Buy US made products, worth it

.

... likely from a person heavily involved in a reefing industry.

1. They don't have to use lower quality materials bc they have much lower cost of production and freight cost is not really that much in a great scheme of things; trust me I work in the industry. Glass is also inherently cheaper in EU and CN vs US. There are builders in Europe that have access to superior glass product from Pilkington and others. Last I heard, Felix from ReefSaavy imports his glass from "overseas" as well - because its superior.

2. This one is just silly, weight on top of them and shifting and pounding wave to wave, really? They are not transported in a row boat. They are properly packed and shipped in crates just fine. If that wasn't the case we wouldn't see millions of products coming from overseas, it would all get destroyed with the pounding you describe.

Now, If somebody drives a forklift into the crate the tank will not survive but the very same oops can happen on last-mile delivery on US made product before it is safely brought to your driveway.

I've seen amazing products from the different continents, if you are patient, ordering from overseas makes sense and will likely be cheaper. There is a lot of misinformation out there.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Eh, not so sure about that one.

I concur.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Glasscages all day every day and twice on Sunday. The stands are furniture grade and are beautiful. Tanks and stands are made in house. I was fortunate enough to get a tour and the attention to detail and workmanship of the stands and tanks is beyond belief. The customer service is just icing on the cake.

This wasn't always the case but with the new owner I hear lots of great reviews and I have seen some pictures that would make me consider their build. @Joe Glass Cages has really upped the game.

 

[GARRIGA]

People can start here, which is how I chose waterbox after learning I owned a ticking time bomb.

https://humble.fish/community/threads/i-created-a-spreadsheet-of-reported-aquarium-failures.20411/

That's awesome. Thx for putting that together.

 

[GARRIGA]

There are builders in Europe that have access to superior glass product from Pilkington and others. Last I heard, Felix from ReefSaavy imports his glass from "overseas" as well - because its superior.

Have heard this from Reef Savvy as well.

 

[BryanM]

That's awesome. Thx for putting that together.

I just google ninja found it! Can’t take credit for the work that went in to this, but it’s a great resource.

 

[zaxtron]

Aim for the display take a good quality one that will not leak over time. Then reinforce the stand and make it better and strong.
I went for waterbox 230.6 for the excellent glass quality, and I've found the stand not to my liking, so I bought 4 2040 aluminum anodized rails on Amazon, and cut them to the exact size and reinforced the stand, making it up to the task.
Marked in red are the locations where I’ve placed the rails in the picture for better understanding. I’ve positioned the aluminum rails right above the feet on the ends, so the weight of the display rests on the rails and transfers to the feet.

 

[GARRIGA]

I just google ninja found it! Can’t take credit for the work that went in to this, but it’s a great resource.

Unable to open the document but does it have any mention of Planet Aquariums or Reef Savvy. Outside of acrylic those are the two I'm considering. Cade and Glass Cages along with IM also a consideration but I'm going to custom for main and that limits who to buy from.

 

[BryanM]

Unable to open the document but does it have any mention of Planet Aquariums or Reef Savvy. Outside of acrylic those are the two I'm considering. Cade and Glass Cages along with IM also a consideration but I'm going to custom for main and that limits who to buy from.

No mention of either vendor, its a bit of a highlight of redsea failures, contrasted against IM, Waterbox, Aqueon, and a handful of unknown manufacturers.

 

[Zeeth]

I'll throw in another recommendation for Glass Cages.

 

[thedon986]

Love my Glass Cages 1.5 years in

48x24x20

 

[spsick]

I have a tank from customaquariums.com and am happy with it. Glass Cages has lots of good reviews. If budget is not a concern perhaps A.G.E. or Reef Savvy

+1 for this. Custom Aquariums calls them Lifetime aquariums and they aren’t kidding. Super nice overbuilt tanks with aluminum bracing. I’m sure their stands are equally solid.